Draft and buffing gear



Feb. 27, 1934. J. H. LINK DRAFT AND BUFFING GEAR Filed Sept. 1, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l [m/en for JofmH. Link B WQWM/W Feb. 27, 1934.

J. H. LINK DRAFT AND BUFFING GEAR Filed Sept. 1, I932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 By v Feb. 27, 1934. J. H. LINK DRAFT AND BUFFING GEAR Filed Sept. 1, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 .9 62 Q i@ @E@ @i-Q Inventor 17/111 HLinh Patented Feb. 27, 1934 UNITED STATES John H. Link, Merion,

Pa., assignor to W. H.

Miner, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application September 1, 1932. Serial No. 631,393

16 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in draft and bufiing gears for mine cars.

One object of the invention is to provide a combined draft and buffing mechanism of rugged design, especially adapted for use in connection with mine cars, wherein the bufling forces are transmitted through a buffing head to the same shock absorbing means which takes care of the draft shocks.

Another object of the invention is to provide in connection with a combined draft and bufiing mechanism means for housing the parts so as to protect the same from damage, wherein the housing means is in the form of a single casting, which may be economically manufactured and readily applied to the car.

Other objects of the invention will more clearly appear from the description and claims hereinafter following.

In the drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a part top plan view and. part horizontal section of one end portion of a mine car, illustrating my improvements in connection therewith, said view being partly broken away. Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the structure illustrated in Figure 1, the coupling link of the car being shown in vertical section. Figures 3 and 4 are vertical sectional views, corresponding respectively to the lines 3-3 and 4-4 of Figure 1. Figure 5 is a top plan view of one end of a mine car, illustrating another embodiment of my invention in connection therewith. Figures 6 and 7 are vertical sectional views, corresponding respectively to the lines 6-6 and 7-7 of Figure 5. Figure 8 is a front elevational view of the structure shown in Figure 5, the coupling link of the car being illustrated in vertical section. Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 1, illustrating still another embodiment of the invention. Figure 10 is a front elevational View of the structure illustrated in Figure 9. And Figure 11 is a vertical sectional view, corresponding substantially to the line 11-11 of Figure 10.

Referring first to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, 10 designates the vertical end wall of a mine car, and 11 the floor of said car. As shown in Figure 2, the middle section of the floor of the car is depressed, the bottom of said depressed portion being formed by a longitudinally extending plate 12, and the side walls being formed by beams 13-13, which in effect are sill members extending lengthwise of the car. The beams 13-13 have top and bottom flanges 14 and 15, the top flange 14 of each beam being fixed to the bottom of the car, and the bottom flange 15 supporting the floor plate 12.

My improved combined draft and bufing gear, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, comprises a. supporting housing A; a bufiing head B; a draft member C; a lever D; and a spring resistance F comprising three coil spring members.

The housing A is preferably in the form of a casting having a vertical platelike wall 16, which is provided wih a rearwardly extending, horizontal flange 17 at the bottom thereof. The plate 16 has forwardly projecting, spaced top and bottom walls 18 and 19 formed integral therewith. The horizontal walls 18 and 19 are connected by vertical walls 20-20, which have inwardly offset sections 21-21 at the top end portions thereof directly connected to the top wall 18. The main portions 20-20 of the side walls and the top sections 21-21 thereof are connected by horizontal portions 22-22. The side walls are formed integral with the plate 16. The plate 16 also has vertically disposed, spaced, rearwardly extending flanges 23-23, which are at opposite ends of the plate and are formed integral with the lower flange 17. The casting A is fixed to the end wall of the car by being riveted to the upper end section of the platelike wall 16. As clearly shown in Figure 3, the platelike wall 16 has a section 24, which extends above the horizontal top wall 18. The bottom flange 17 of the casting A is secured to the floor plate 12, any well known securing means, such as rivets, being employed. The flanges 23-23 at opposite ends of the casting A are secured to the vertical webs of the beams 13-13, as clearly shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive. The walls 18, 19, and 20-20 define a housing, which enthe combined draf side walls 29-29. The buffing head B is telescoped within the housing portion of the casting A and is slidably movable therein.

The draft member C, which is disposed above the buffing head B, is supported thereonand has the inner end reciprocably mounted within the housing section of the casting A. The draft member C has spaced top and bottom arms 29 and 30, between which the usual coupling link 31 is accommodated. The link is connected to the draft member C by means of a coupling pin 32 extending through the link 31 and aligned openings in the top and bottom arms 29 and of the draft member. At the inner end, the top and bottom walls 29 and 30 of the draft member C are connected by relatively short, vertical side walls 33-33 and an end wall 34. The side walls 33-33 have laterally projecting trunnions 35-35, which serve to connect the draft memher to the upper end of the lever D.

The lever D is in the form of a casting having a'forked upper end section 36 embracing the inner end portion of the draft member C. The members which form the forked section 36 of the lever D are provided with rearwardly opening bearing seats 37-37 on the inner sides thereof, which receive the trunnions 35-35 of the draft member C. The bottom end of the lever D is provided with a fulcrum projection 38, which rocks in the seat 25 of the bottom wall 19 of the housing.

The spring resistance F, which comprises the three coil spring members, is interposed between the lever D and the front end wall of the buffing head B. As clearly shown in Figures 1 and 3, the innerends of the separate coils of the spring resistance F are seated in pockets provided in the lever D. The bufiing head B is limited in its outward movement by means of bolts 39-39, which extend through slots 40-40 provided in the top and bottom walls of the bufling head. The bolts 39-39 are fixed to the casting A, and in addition to serving as limiting stops for the buffing head also hold the same assembled with the casting A. g

In the operation of my improved combined draft and buffing gear, as illustrated in Figure: 1 to 4 inclusive, the spring resistance F will be compressed against the buliing head in draft by the leverD being rocked forwardly through the pulling or draft action on the draft member 0. The buffing head at this time is held against movement by the bolts 39-39. When a buffing force is applied to the head B, the same will be moved inwardly, thereby compressing the spring resistance F against the lever D, which is in engagement with the vertical platelike wall 16 of the casting A. The draft movement of the member C is limited by engagement of the front of the lever D with the inner ends of the top and bottom walls of the buffing head B.

Referring next to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 5 to 8 inclusive, my improved combined draft and bufling gear comprises broadly a housing G, forming an integral part of the bottom casting of the mine car; a buffing head H; a draft member J; a lever K; and a spring resistance M, comprising three coil springs. 4

The housing G is of substantially the same design as that of the housing A hereinbefore described, but differs therefrom in that it forms an integral part of the bottom casting of the mine car, which bottom casting is indicated by 50. The casting is of the usual design, being continuous from end to end of the car. Inasmuch as this form of casting is well known in the art, the same needs no further detailed description. At

' each end of the car, the casting 50 is provided with a housing portion G, which is integral therewith. As shown in Figures 5 to 8 inclusive, the housing G at one end of the car has spaced top and bottom walls 51 and 52 and spaced, vertical- 1y disposed, side walls 53 and 54 connecting the top and bottom walls. The bottom wall 52 is provided with a fulcrum seat 53, similar to the seat 25 hereinbefore described in connection with Figures 1 to 4 inclusive. The side walls 53 and 54 of the housing G have the upper end sections thereof inwardly offset, as indicated at 55-55, in a manner similar to that of the side walls of the housing section of the casting A hereinbefore described.

The construction and arrangement of the buffing head H, the draft member J, the lever K, and the spring resistance M are substantially the same as that of the corresponding parts of the mechanism hereinbefore described in connection with Figures 1 to i inclusive.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 9, 10, and 11, my improved combined draft and buffing gear comprises broadly a supporting housing P; a bufiing head R; a draft member S; a lever T; and a spring resistance E comprising two pairs of coil spring members.

The housing P is substantially of the same design as that of the housing A hereinbefore described, but differs therefrom in that the same accommodates four spring coils instead of three. The vertical platelike section of the housing P, which corresponds to the platelike section 16 of the housing A, is provided with a central flat abutment face 61 on the forward side thereof, which serves to limit rearward swinging movement of the lever T. At opposite sides of the abutment face 61, the plate 60'has spring abutments 62-52, which are offset forwardly with respect to the abutment surface 61. Each spring abutment is provided with a projecting boss 63 adapted to engage within the rear end of the corresponding coil spring.

The buffing head R is similar to the buffing head B hereinbefore described, but differs therefrom in that it is arranged to cooperate with four spring coils instead of three. The fiat inner face of the front wall 163 of the bufiing head R is provided with four inwardly projecting bosses 64-64, which engage within the outer ends of the corresponding coils of the spring resistance E. The coupling pin, which is indicated by 65, is longer than the pin 32 shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, and extends through the top and bottom walls of the bufing head R, these walls being longitudinally slotted, as indicated at 66-66, to accommodate the pin and permit the required amount of inward movement of the buffing head. In order to prevent accidental removal of the pin 65, a cotter pin 6'7 extending through the lower end of the pin is employed.

The lever T is of substantially the same design as that of the lever D hereinbefore described in connection with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to i inclusive, but cooperates with part only of the spring resistance means E. As shown most clearly in Figures 9 and 11, the lever T is provided with a pocket 63 on the forward side thereof, within which the inner ends of the central coils of the spring resistance E are seated. In order to prevent bending of the spring coils when the lever T is rocked, spring follower blocks 69-69 are used, which have rounded rear bearing surfaces '70-'70 engaging the rear wall of the spring pocket 68 of the lever T. At the forward side, each block 69 is provided with a forwardly projecting boss '71, which engages within the end of the corresponding coil spring. As most clearly shown in Figure 11, each spring follower block 69 is of such a height as to provide sufficient clearance between the upper edge thereof and the top wall of the pocket 68 to permit the required forward rocking movement of the lever T without binding of the member C hereinbefore described and is connected in a similar manner to the upper end of the lever T.

The spring resistance E preferably comprises four coils, two of which are indicated by 7373 and cooperate with both the lever T and the lending head R. The remaining two coils of the spring resistance, which are indicated by 74'74, are arranged at opposite sides of the coils 73'?3 and have their front and rear ends bearing re spectively on the inner side of the front wall of the buffing head R and on the spring abutments 6262 of the housing P. The coils 7373 of the spring resistance have their forward ends bearing on the front wall of the bufling head R and their rear ends bearing on the spring follower blocks 6969.

The operation of the improved draft and buffing gear illustrated in Figures 9, 10, and 11 is substantially the same as that of the device shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, with the exception that in draft the resistance to movement of the lever is opposed by one pair of springs only and in bud all of the springs are compressed. When a pulling action is applied to the draft member S,

I the lever T is swung forwardly, thereby compressing the springs '73-'73 against the buffing head R, which is held stationary by the connection thereof with the housing P. During this action, the spring follower blocks 69-459 swivel on the lever, thus preventing bending of the springs '73-'73. All danger of binding of the springs due to the swinging movement of the lever T is thus eliminated. Upon inward movement of the buffing head R, all of the coils of the spring resistance will be compressed. The coils 73-73 are compressed against the lever T, which is held stationary during buffing action, by the abutment face 61 on the housing P. The spring coils 'l4'74 are compressed against the spring abutments 62-62 of said housing.

I have herein shown and described what Inow consider the preferred manner of carrying out my invention, but the same is merely illustrative and I contemplate all changes and modifications that come within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. In a combined draft and buffing gear for mine cars, the combination with a housing projecting from the end of the car, said housing having spaced, horizontal top and bottom walls and spaced, vertical side walls; of a buffing head slidably mounted between said top and bottom walls; a draft member slidable with res set to said housing; a lever fulcrumed on said bottom wall and pivotally connected to a coupler member, said lever being overhung by said top wall of the housing; and spring resistance means interposed between said buffing head and lever.

2. In a combined draft and bufiing gear for mine cars, the combination with a housing in the form of a casting forming an integral part of the car bottom. said housing projecting from the end of the car and having spaced, horizontal top and bottom walls and spaced, vertical side walls; of a bufiing head slidably mounted between said top and bottom walls; a draft member slidable with respect to said housing; a lever fulcrumed on said bottom wall and pivotally connected to a coupler member, said lever being overhung by said top wall of the housing; and spring resistance means interposed between said buffing head and lever.

3. In a combined draft and buffing gear for mine cars, the combination with a housing casting secured to the end of the car, said casting projecting from the end of the car and having spaced, horizontal top and bottom walls and spaced, vertical side walls; of a bufling head slidably mounted between said top and bottom walls; a draft member slidable with respect to said housing casting; a lever fulcrumed on said bottom wall and pivotally connected to a coupler member, said lever being overhung by said top wall of the housing casting; and spring resistance means interposed between said bufiing head and lever.

4. In a combined draft and buffing gear for mine cars, the combination with a housing casting having an upstanding flange secured to the end wall of the car and inwardly extending, spaced, vertical flanges secured to the car, said casting projecting from the end of the car and having spaced, horizontal, top and bottom walls and spaced, vertical side walls; of a bufhng head slidably mounted between said top and bottom walls; a draft member slidable with respect to said housing casting; a lever fulcrumed on said bottom wall and pivotauy connected to a coupler member, said lever being overhung by said top wall of the housing casting; and spring resistance means interposed between said buffing head and lever.

5. In a draft rigging for mine cars, the combination with a buffing head at the end of the car supported for movement inwardly of the car, said head having an outer buffing face engageable by a similar bufiing head of an adjacent car; of a draft member movable away from the car; a lever fulcrumed at one end on a fixed support on the car and connected at the other end to said draft member; a pluraLty of springs yieldingly opposing swinging movement of said lever, said springs also opposing inward movement of the buffing head; and additional springs compressed by inward movement of the bufiing head, said additional springs opposing movement of the buffing head only.

6. In a draft rigging for name cars, the combination with a supporting structure fixed to the end of the car; of a buffing head slidingly carried by said supporting structure, said head having an outer buffing face engageable by a similar buffing head on an adjacent car; a draft member adapted to be coupled to an adjacent car; a lever fulcrumed at one end in a fixed bearing on said supporting structure; shock absorbing means yieldingly opposing movement of said buffing head and lever; and follower members having rocking bearing engagement with the lever and abutting said shock absorbing means.

'7. In a draft rigging for mine cars, the combination with a supporting structure fixed to the end of the car; of a buffing head slldingly carried by said supporting structure; a draft member adapted to be coupled to an adjacent car; a lever fulcrumed at one end on said supporting structure; shock absorbing spring means yieldingly opposing movement of said buffing head and lever, said spring means including a plurality of coils hearing at their outer ends on said buffing head; and spring follower members swiveled on said lever and bearing on the inner ends of said spring coils.

8. In a draft rigging for mine cars, the combination with a supporting structure fixed to the end of the car, said supporting structure having a spring abutment surface there-on; of a bufilng head sl idingly carried by said supporting struc-- ture; springs bearing at opposite ends on said buffing head and spring abutment surface; a draft member adjacent to be coupled to an adjacent car; a lever fulcrumed at its lower end on said supporting structure and having'its upper end connected to the inner end of the draft member; and additional springs bearing at opposite ends on said buffing head and lever.

9. In a draft rigging for mine cars, the combination with a supporting structure fixed tothe end of the car, said supportirv structure having a spring abutment surface thereon; of a buiiing head slidingly carried by said supporting structure; springs bearing at opposite ends on said buffing head and spring abutment surface; a draft member adapted to be coupled to an adjacent car; a lever fulcrumed at its lower end on said supporting structure and having its upper end connected to the inner end of the draft member; spring follower means bearing on said lever and having rocking movement thereon; and additional springs bearing at opposite ends on said buffing head and spring follower means.

10. In a draft rigging for mine cars, the combination with a supporting structure fixed to the end of the car,said supporting structure having a spring abutment surface thereon; of a buffing head slidingly carried by said supporting structure; springs bearing at opposite ends on said buffing head and spring abutment surface; a draft member adapted to be coupled to an adjacent car; a lever fulcrumed at its lower end on said supporting structure and having its upper end connected to the inner end of the draft member, said lever having a pocket therein; a spring follower block seated in said pocket, said block having a rounded rear face bearing on said lever; and additional springs bearing at opposite ends on said bufling head and spring follower block.

11. In a draft rigging for mine cars, the combination with a supporting structure fixed to one end of the car, said supporting structure having a central abutment surface and spring abutments at opposite sides of said central surface, said structure also having a lever support ing ledge at the bottom thereof; of a lever fulcrumed at its lower end on said ledge and held against rearward rocking movement by engagement with said abutment surface; a buffing head slidingly carried by said supporting structure; a pair of springs having their rear ends bearing on said lever and their front ends bearing on said buffing head; and additional springs disposed at opposite sides of said first named springs and lever, said additional sprin s having the opposite ends thereof bearing respectively on said buffing head and spring abutments.

12. In a draft rigging for mine cars, the combination with a supporting structure fixed to one end of the car, said supporting structure having a central abutment surface and spring their front ends bearing on said buffing head; and additional springs disposed at opposite sides of said lever, said additional springs having their opposite ends bearing respectively on said buffing head and spring abutments.

13. In a combined draft and buffing gear for mine cars, the combination with a supporting member at the end of the car; of a bufling head slidably mounted on said supporting member for movement lengthwise of the car; a draft element slidable with respect to the supporting member in a direction lengthwise of the car; a lever fulcrumed at one end on said supporting member and pivotally connected to the draft element; fixed abutment means on said supporting member; and shock absorbing means including a member interposed between and having its opposite ends bearing on the buffing head and said abutment means, and an additional member embraced between the inner side of the bufiing head and the forward side of the lever, said last named member being compressible between the buffing head and lever.

14. In a combined draft and bufiing gear for mine cars, the combination with a support secured to the end of the car; of fixed abutment means on said support; a bufiing head slidingly mounted on said support for movement lengthwise of the car; a draft member movable in a direction lengthwise of the car; a lever fulcrumed at its lower end on said support, the upper end of said lever being pivotally connected to the draft member; cushioning means compressible lengthwise of the car, said cushioning means having the front and rear ends thereof bearing respectively on the inner side of the buffing head and the forward side of the lever; and additional cushioning means embraced between and having its opposite ends engaged by said buffing head and fixed abutment means.

15. In a combined draft and buffing gear, the combination with a support on the end of the car; of a bumng head movable inwardly on said support; a vertical lever pivoted at its lower end on said support; cushioning means opposing relative movement of said lever and bufiing head, said cushioning means bearing at its front and rear ends respectively on said bul'ling head and lever; additional cushioning means compressible in bun only opposing inward movement of the bufiing head; and draft means connected to the upper end of said lever.

16. In a draft rigging for mine cars, the combination with a buffing head at the end of the car supported for movement inwardly of the car, said head having an outer bumng face engageable by a similar buffing head of an adjacent car; of cushioning means opposing inward movement of said head; abutment means at opposite sides of said cushioning means; additional cushioning means at opposite sides of said first named cushioning means having its opposite ends bearing on said bufling head and abutment means; a draft member movable away from the car; and lever means actuated by said draft member, said first named cushioning means being interposed between the buffing head and lever means and having its front and rear ends bearing respectively on the buffing head and lever means.

JOHN H. LINK. 

